Mark 14:66-72 - The Rooster Crow

Mark 14:66-72
66 As Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high priest *came, 67 and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him and *said, “You also were with Jesus the Nazarene.” 68 But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you are talking about.” And he went out onto the porch. 69 The servant-girl saw him, and began once more to say to the bystanders, “This is one of them!” 70 But again he denied it. And after a little while the bystanders were again saying to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean too.”71 But he began to curse and swear, “I do not know this man you are talking about!” 72 Immediately a rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had made the remark to him, “Before a rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” And he began to weep.

Message: The Rooster Crow

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - Jesus has just been convicted and sentenced to death by the high priest and the people began to spit on and fist pump Jesus. The reason for his conviction is a culmination of events of how the priests have been threatened by Jesus since he has come on the scene. And now Jesus himself has confessed that He is the Messiah, the Son of God and that He will be at the right hand of God. The charge to Jesus is blasphemy. It is Thursday, in the middle of the night, about 3 am. Peter and John are nearby having followed the assembly of people to the court area to see what would happen.

As Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high priest *came, and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him and *said, “You also were with Jesus the Nazarene.” Jesus has already had made bold predictions about future events - his death and resurrection and then also the scattering of the sheep and how they would reject him. And now in this moment Jesus was not only being arrested but now spit on and beaten. The disciples initially fled when Jesus was arrested, but then curiosity led them to where the courts were accusing him. But, they are reverting back to their previous position now of innocence. What makes this denial more significance was how the accusation was insignificant. It wan't the high priest making the church, but a servant and a servant girl of the high priest. Peter took this as possible future danger.

How often has this occurred in life when I have shrugged off my affiliation with God or things spiritual simply out of a fear of being associated with Jesus. I have a danger in life of blending in, not going against the flow. Peter's response is:

1. But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you are talking about.”

And he went out onto the porch. The servant-girl saw him, and began once more to say to the bystanders, “This is one of them!” The first time was alone and now she says the same thing but with an audience.

2. But again he denied it. 

And after a little while the bystanders were again saying to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean too.” Now it has gone from the servant-girl to the bystanders. So, there is no trial at all, no association at all with a high priest, just harmless people who possible were involved in the spitting on. But, the result is the same.

3. But he began to curse and swear, “I do not know this man you are talking about!”

It is a sad affair as Peter has clearly denied His affiliation with Jesus. He denies being a part of the group of people following Jesus and then he makes it clear that he doesn't even know Jesus. He clearly shows that he has nothing to do with Jesus whatsoever.

Immediately a rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had made the remark to him, “Before a rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” And he began to weep. In the moment of it occurring we are concerned about the audience, but then afterward, we are convicted and see first hand that what we have done is what we have said we do not want to do and that is deny our association with Jesus.

Summary - Jesus has been accused of a crime and Peter has been a witness to this. The crime is being the Messiah, the Son of God. The high priests servant girl asks him by herself, then in the company of bystanders and then the bystanders themselves ask - Peter denies being part of the group of followers and then denies even knowing Jesus. But, apart from the group, Jesus is embarrassed by His actions and weeps over his sin of denial.

Promise: It is good to think of our sin for then the Holy Spirit will remind us of our sin. This is the mark of a Christian.

Prayer: Lord, I need to be aware of my sin more. Remind me of my wrongdoing. I too quickly justify My behavior. I too quickly spend time protecting myself from any accusation. I gather with Christians and proclaim Your name but before men I go along with the crowd. Forgive me Lord. Forgive me Lord. I am embarrassed before You My God. Lord, if I can help others see this, show me the Way.